Most of my or a good portion of my talk with you — discourse — this afternoon would be in the Visayan dialect kay medyo — kasabot mo’g Ilokano? Mag-inilokano ko ngari. Kinsa’y nakasabot og Maranao? So mag-Binisaya ko.

(TRANSLATION: Most of my or a good portion of my talk — discourse — with you this afternoon would be in the Visayan dialect which is why — Can you understand Ilocano? I’ll speak in Ilocano. Who can understand Maranao here? So I’ll speak in Bisaya.)

(TRANSLATION: Here with us is Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; our Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna; our Chief of Staff in the military Lieutenant General — he’s already a General for he has gained the four-star rank — Rey Leonardo Guerrero; and… in the Eastern Mindanao Command — if you are facing the map of the Philippines, on your right hand is the Eastern side. If you are looking the map of the Philippines, it’s the Eastern side. And to your left is the Western side. On the upper portion, it’s Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao — we are at the Southern Mindanao.)

(TRANSLATION: I have a speech but it’s not in Bisaya. What will I do with this? It’s in English. I have to translate it. Who is Sison? Do you know Sison? Do you know Jose Maria Sison? Have you seen this person?)

(TRANSLATION: If you are not a Muslim, and your language — like the Maranao, Maguindanao, Iranon, and the Kagan, and Maguindanao, Tausug, Iranon — we are not from Mindanao. We are just migrants in Mindanao.)

(TRANSLATION: Before Magellan arrived — he was roaming the country and happened to reach Mindanao even though this was not his country. We suffered for 400 years. They made us slaves just like the Americans, we were subjected to an imperialist government.)

(TRANSLATION: They were already gone for a long time. The Islam came first, then the Evangelists, preachers, and Imam. Islam came in first from Thailand, then it circulated in Malaysia. Then they reached Indonesia and eventually reached Mindanao.)

(TRANSLATION: But when the Spaniards came, they did not allow them to pass through Zamboanga. So they fought. That was was what happened during that period. But the Maranao — just like my grandmother, she’s from Lanao del Sur — they had a clash with the Tausug before Christianity was introduced.)

(TRANSLATION: Because of religion, just like Protestants, Catholics, Jehova, and others, there was a dispute, like Sunni and Shiite. When the Spaniards came, Magellan carried the cross and cannons. We did not have those things before because our ancestors were natives of the land. They were Bisaya. )

(TRANSLATION: We are not called Cebuanos, but we are called Sugboanon. If they ask us, “Where are you from?” We’ll answer, “We are from Sugbo.” The Ilonggos are called Hiligaynon. Waray. That’s the distribution.)

(TRANSLATION: If you won’t follow, you’ll be killed. That was our struggle. I don’t know, I don’t have the history, but it’s just like in Mindanao. If there’s religion — I’m not saying it’s ugly — but it comes with force. Usually, it entails violent situation.)

(TRANSLATION: Mindanao, during the time of the Spaniard, was not yet divided. During the time of the Americans, they wanted workers first and foremost, but nobody wanted to work for them since most of the Americans during their time were Christians. And so nobody from Mindanao wanted to work for them.)

(TRANSLATION: The first migrants in Davao were Cebuanos, Boholanos, and Leyteños. When the Ilocanos came — the Ilocanos were really the first to arrive —they were our teachers, supervisors, educators. But only a few of them — a few teachers —are government workers.)

(TRANSLATION: That happened when they entered — And since we were poor, we couldn’t afford to send anything to Visayas because of the storms there. We also couldn’t grow plants or crops that could be harvested in just six months. That’s the reason why there are many of us who would choose to import corn from other places that were unaffected by storms, like Antique. And we are also used to salty food.)

(TRANSLATION: Most of us live on the coastal area. There are no forests since they used the wood to build houses. So the Bisayas are fond of salty food sincemost of what we eat can be sourced from the sea or nearby.)

(TRANSLATION: It’s a genetic — it runs in our blood when you say, “Your cooking has a really salty flavor to it.” The time will come that we would all be included. That’s why there is war in Mindanao because the Moros who claimed they were the first settlers here was asking, “What happened here? Why do we not have our own titles, our own lands?”)

(TRANSLATION: They are into enclaves. They are like small villages that they formed in Davao. But they don’t have a permanent place just like in Maguindanao — ARMM — but they wallowed in the pit of poverty.)

(TRANSLATION: Mindanao was really big for anybody. It was too vast. The problem with Filipinos is that they are fond of… They keep getting pregnant. They migrated to Mindanao, married, raised a family with 6, then 7 children. And then the 7 turned to30, and the 30 became…)

(TRANSLATION: If we won’t import from Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, we will go hungry. That’s the problem there. The pineapples and bananas that are planted there now aren’t for the consumption of the Filipinos. The rejects from the market are given to you instead. That’s what we have been eating.)

(TRANSLATION: We agreed because most of us are not rich. Like me, what I’m really after is a job, which is why I allowed China to enter, everyone. I made friends with them to provide jobs. I’m not just relying on the taxes because it’s not much anyway.)

(TRANSLATION: Besides, the NPA were my friends. I even asked the soldiers to give way. I went up to the mountains several times. The last time I went there was in Surigao where they nabbed a policewoman. That’s when I was forced to visit the mountains. I told you to spare the women because they are not included in the war.)

(TRANSLATION: Sison is also dreaming of his own government. He also wants free education. He wants everything to be free, including the beds. When the time comes [inaudible], there will be taxation from the — You would have to pay taxes to the communists before you can be permitted to have a child.)

(TRANSLATION: Son of a b****. They are so arrogant. He wants to take my place. There’s no doubt about it because he’s a Filipino, too. I don’t know if he’s really a Filipino. He looks like a Taiwanese.)

(TRANSLATION: I have to go fishing first to catch what I would be eating because government has no money. I have to be resourceful and try to catch my own… whatever I can catch. Sometimes I catch a panty, other times I catch a bra. [laughter] These communists are crazy.)

(TRANSLATION: I’ve told you that already. That’s one of the things that urged me to run for president. When the Supreme Court said Filipino… —because there’s a law, a treaty, that those who don’t have citizenship, those who don’t know their parents, if they are found here in the Philippines, they will be considered Filipinos.)

(TRANSLATION: The moment you are born, you are already a Filipino. Meaning, if your mother who gave birth to you is a Filipino, then you are Filipino also. But the Supreme Court changed it and I[inaudible] because the new rules aren’t clear. What kind of…)

(TRANSLATION: One semester — We were lawyers for two semesters. We spent one year saying, “What are the Filipinos doing? Who is a Filipino? That is a Filipino, that, that. It was repeated over and over again.)

(TRANSLATION: I’m not jealous. We have a Constitution that we have to follow. We speak different languages, dialects. Some of us are Ilocano, Moro, Surigaonon, Ilocano. We may not share the same language but we coexisted and lived as one.)

(TRANSLATION: The Constitution is what brings us together. The moment that we disagree and no one follows the Constitution, we will be a broken nation, that’s for sure. Because we speak different languages, we’ll probably go our separate ways.)

(TRANSLATION: But we are one because our Constitution says the officials in the Philippines are chosen by the people. The sovereignty belongs to the people. Not everyone can be a president, so we have to elect a president. The president will be chosen by the people through an election and we will give the person sovereignty over the country. Once sovereignty is given, it is sacred.)

(TRANSLATION: That’s why when I assumed office, I was the one who would appoint when you will become a general or a secretary, executive secretary. Everyone there in the Supreme Court were all appointed by me. The Constitution grants you something. You have been chosen by the people.)

(TRANSLATION: What has Sison achieved? Do you know that person? All he did was read books about communism. Europe, which was poor back then, wanted the same thing. But now Russia has become the number one communist. Here in Asia, in China, they are capitalist countries now.)

(TRANSLATION: You dreamt of running this government through force by taking up arms because the Filipinos already have a government. There are leaders who were chosen by the people. I’m here and so is General Guerrero and other officials. They are not rich. If they were, they wouldn’t bother trying to find employment. But that is what you want, you want to keep fighting.)

(TRANSLATION: They have been suffering in the mountains for a long time. They already have leeches. They also eat the leeches. What will they get from killing the soldiers? I myself will not allow that.)

(TRANSLATION: For the military, it’s a sacrifice. They sacrifice in the line of duty, just like you. What are you waiting for to happen? Who is your God? Sison. Where did his sacredness come from? He is imparting the knowledge that he gained from all the books that he read. He is teaching fools like him. And then you follow him and die for his cause.)

(TRANSLATION: His brain is already melting. What has he taught you? To kill, ask money from the poor and the rich though arms. His work is like that of a hold upper who’s targeting the whole Philippines.)

(TRANSLATION: He taught you to go to the banana plantations, to the owners of pineapple plantations and say, “Oh, holdup. You have to pay.” The payment system here in Manila is through bank to bank transactions. They keep their money in the bank.)

(TRANSLATION: That was your job. Actually, I really see all of you as hold-uppers. What else have you done there in the mountains other than to roam around, look for soldiers, kill them, and terrorize?)

(TRANSLATION: There is no — the brains that led them during our time are gone now. The ones leading them are the ruthless ones. The money that you extorted from the mining and the banana and abaca plantations by bombing their property or setting it on fire, those are billions. You can say that every month they earn 3 billion from extortions, including those that they extorted from the poor.)

(TRANSLATION: That is the computation if you include what you’ve taken from the poor like the rice, food. What kind of people are you? You really want to create a nation? How? By drawing blood and killing people. And if one of you will surrender, they will definitely kill the surrenderee.)

(TRANSLATION: There are so many soldiers who go AWOL. But has there ever been a soldier who was beaten up for being AWOL? None. If you want to leave, then leave. Leave if you don’t want to live a hard life.)

(TRANSLATION: Go, leave. But you have no respect. Be it male or female, you don’t hesitate to kill them. That’s how it really is. Who has worked under [Hasmin?]? Don’t be scared. [Hasmin?] is a woman but is known to be good at slitting throats.)

(TRANSLATION: What did they promise you? Education? I already signed a law that says education is free for every Filipino, rich or poor. If you have a smart child — don’t give me a dumb student or a drunkard. That’s crazy.)

(TRANSLATION: This is why Davao is always the top notcher. Because we send them to school, we let them choose their school, “Gusto ka’g Ateneo?” Alright. Since everything is for free, let your bright children enroll in UP.)

(TRANSLATION: If you have children aged 17 or 18 years old and are capable of thinking maturely, then I will send them to PMA. I want a general that is a Lumad. Besides, we’re all Filipinos — good for Allen Capuyan, his belly got big because he’s enjoying roaming around. He’s a lumad, a Manobo.)

(TRANSLATION: They get angry when you tell them to step aside for a moment. They will tell you, “Allahu Akbar.” My grandmother is a Maranao so don’t fool me. “Allahu Akbar.” I will throw you to the canal instead. There’s a big canal there near their — Some Maranaos have an attitude.)

(TRANSLATION: There in San Pedro Church, I am strict in their security there because it got bombed before. One time, I saw one or two Tausug there. There are only few of them who are staying there before. Later on, I saw the Tausug on the side of the road.)

(TRANSLATION: I provided you will cellphones, right? Were you all provided? How many of you here pawned the phone? You might have pawned it already. You’re like the soldiers because they also pawn the guns, and also the police.)

(TRANSLATION: You may call me. Bong is here. You were given calling cards. I already told you that… oh, call the office of the military. If you need specialists, go here. That’s the premier hospital for the government. The staffs there are also intelligent, from UP.)

(TRANSLATION: So if you have an intelligent child, I will send him or her to UP. If he or she wants to join the military and his or her grades are all 90, especially in Mathematics, I will send him or her to PMA.)

(TRANSLATION: The soldiers can’t wait, too. They hit all the dead bodies. So they were turfed out to the side. The road got dusty. So the dead bodies looked like they have placed powder on themselves five times.)

(TRANSLATION: Okay, be with the NPAs, that’s what they are doing to you. They make a fool out of the dead, then they place it on the middle of the road. Is that how you treat your fellowmen? What have you eaten, why did you follow the NPAs?)

(TRANSLATION: Everything is free now. I will build you a house. The Kadamay who stole those houses, it was supposed to be for the soldiers but they stole it. Just because they are financially struggling — I told the soldiers to just let it them be.)

(TRANSLATION: So she will spend something. Mine is almost — [How many months remaining, Bong? For those houses for the soldiers? They keep on saying “ongoing”] — our one condo has 1,000 units in it. Facing each other.

(TRANSLATION: But for you, just go to Inday. Just don’t meddle with the business here. But do you want to live on the 3rd floor? Because the 2nd floor is allocated for the soldiers. I will allocate the 3rd floor for the Moro surrenderees to have chaos. And then my problems will be over. [laughter])

(TRANSLATION: I do not talk to them — and people will react with — “Duterte, US, mga pasista.” P***** i**. If you say dictator, I will be dictator. Because if I will not be a dictator, nothing will happen to this country.)

(TRANSLATION: Understand that I will make myself comfortable as well. Why would I suffer from the poverty? I don’t want to be a hypocrite. But if you only earn that from your salary and you have two wives…)

(TRANSLATION: Ah, they’re number one, especially now that… they won’t even go to war. They will just call, “Okay, fight properly.” Are there generals who go to the war and fight? That’s how it is here in Manila.)

(TRANSLATION: They will say “Okay, how many people are dead?” “Three.” “What?” “Three.” “Son of a b****, don’t lose.” “Are there any women holding guns?” “Sir, she’s a fighter. An amazona.” “Shoot the…” [laughter])

(TRANSLATION: Why would you women join? Some of you join the movement, even if you have your family. You can’t even return to your families for how many years.Christmas, New Year, your child’s birthday, your birthday. You won’t even show up. You gave birth to your children then you leave them behind.)

(TRANSLATION: You, your families, if you die, then you will be buried. You know that. When someone dies, you just bury them wherever you want to bury them, right? Then years after, you surrender, and you tell the military “We buried someone there,” right?)

(TRANSLATION: You don’t even have a proper ceremony with a blessing. Why would you even follow the NPA and not believe in God? Is that possible? You are believing in Sison and his brain. He’s popular.)

(TRANSLATION: We are all just going to die here. Even if you all die, it will all amount to nothing. It’s not just because the government is powerful, but because — You never considered that the government has airplanes, helicopters, and soldiers. I am recruiting even more because of the problem that we are facing. If I were you…)

(TRANSLATION: All of you, the CAFGU, we are fighting something that isn’t about the Moros or the Muslims. We’re fighting terrorists. I am afraid of something that may happen. Destroy the drug trade. It has done nothing but make your children lose their minds and become insane. You should’ve addressed the drug problem first because it is much more crucial. Why should you instead look for soldiers to kill and — There are drug addicts, so many of them. Kill them instead.)

(TRANSLATION: Don’t believe the Human Rights. Because if this government collapses, there will be no Human Rights nor foreigners who will help us. You need to trust me because I see drugs as something that will really destroy our country. That’s what I’ve been telling you. Do not destroy my country. Just like you. I will kill you.)

(TRANSLATION: Do not — to the drug addicts, don’t destroy my nation and my children. If we were rich, we wouldn’t be in the government. So how much is their pension? Especially for you. How much would you get for your pension for your career in the last 30 years? Maybe one or 900,000. 1 million, 2, 4 million?)

(TRANSLATION: How about if you retire when you’re 65 years old? P***** i**. Will that amount suffice if you were to live for another 10 years? You will be old by then. Your food and your medicine as well because that will be the time where all the medical conditions will come in, like diabetes and hypertension.)

(TRANSLATION: I knew Parago had a medical condition. I knew of it when he said he wanted to have a medical check-up. He called Bong and asked if he could come down here in Davao City. He said he wanted to have a medical check-up and requested if we could help keep it a secret. I acquiesced because we don’t kill our enemies.)

(TRANSLATION: But I felt that it would be dangerous. If the military got wind of it, they won’t kill Parago. They’ll kill me. I was mayor back then and if I did that, the military and police themselves would kill me and frame it as an ambush from political rivals. That would be the outcome if I helped Parago come down in secret.)

(TRANSLATION: Then I wouldn’t be able to go up in the mountains anymore because the police and military would keep their eyes on me. So I wouldn’t be able to help you in your needs. So what I did was I sent a mobile X-Ray system there in the mountains.)

(TRANSLATION: When I got home, I told Parago that there will be a designated spot there where the mobile X-Ray system would wait for him to have his check-up. I knew that Parago had a wound in — That’s why every time he calls Bong to ask for cigarettes — Bong would tell me, “Mayor, he’s asking for cigarettes. How many will I send?” I’d say to him, “Don’t send him reams. Give him a whole box.”)

(TRANSLATION: Go on then. Isn’t that chain smoking? And his cough was already severe so I knew that he had something really serious. I knew that Parago had cancer. In the X-Ray… There was no MRI scans. But he liked to smoke a lot so I kept on sending cigarettes for him.)

(TRANSLATION: I’ll said to Bong,“Bong, here are the cigarettes.” Bong would respond with, “Mayor, I’ve sent five cartons.” “Send him more cigarettes in the meantime because we haven’t caught him yet,” I said. It was true that he really sought medication. The stories saying he just went down to go on dates wasn’t true. He was seeking medical attention.)

(TRANSLATION: And you really dare fight with me? Keep on dreaming. Parago said, “I will come back down.” I said, “Don’t. We’ll go up there instead.” So that’s the real story. Do you have an X-Ray machine there? You don’t and so you will still depend on me. “Mayor, can we be X-Rayed?” And if you go down there to the municipality, I’ll tell the police to [inaudible])

(TRANSLATION: I will look at the X-Ray results closely. I’ll find out what are the ailments that they have that we can help worsen. If they have diabetes, I’ll send lots of sugar. I’ll send one drum of it. Go on and consume all that. Haven’t you been requesting medicine for hypertension? Then I’ll send some Viagra because those with hypertension shouldn’t take it.)

(TRANSLATION: You will need Viagra for those who are aged 40 and above. If you want Viagra, I’ll give you some. Yes, I will really send you some. But it won’t work for the old stock, okay? because if you can’t feel the urge anymore, Viagra won’t work.)

(TRANSLATION: That’s why if you go home to your wife for a honeymoon, and if you are taking the Viagra, you’ll die because it’s not ideal for you to take Viagra. It’s for the younger ones. But if you want some, then I’ll give it to you. I’ll promise you free supply of Viagra for your…)

(TRANSLATION: Trains will be made in Davao so I’ll employ you there. And when the trains have been finished, I’ll make you all form a line. You like bloodshed, don’t you? [laughter]If you don’t stop, that’s what I’m going to do. Isn’t it true that when there are new machines up there, you’ll start to roast meat? Chicken, pork. It’s a special delegation.)

(TRANSLATION: Males, females. When the train runs over you, I’ll be the one to order, “Go back, run them over again.” [laughter] So houses will be free and you’ll be provided with jobs as well. But pay me back a little. In the mean time, I’ll give you honoraria. Use it to buy rice and viand, some sardines. When the taxation starts to flourish… )

(TRANSLATION: You know, the weakest link, the weakest that we have is — Because that’s how it really is. The weakest ones that are just trying to survive are the factories, but we have them. The bridges have been made as well.)

(TRANSLATION: The agricultural sector is really the one that’s the weakest. You know why? It’s because of the NPA. So no agricultural projects will come in even though a thriving agricultural sector there will bring almost miraculous results in our nation.)

(TRANSLATION: For instance, some of the small businessmen there who have been renting out your lands, the NPA will still ask for tax. Even if it’s just a two-hectare land. But if you plan your business well, there will be those who will buy it and send it straight to the factory. Be it canned goods, bananas, or whatever it is that they want to make, it can be manufactured there.)

(TRANSLATION: So you’ll be earning a little from your land and you’ll get a job as well. Your products will be the — What’s really the most important here is for the money to begin to circulate there in your sitio or barangay. If there is no circulation of money there, you won’t earn any money at all. No one will buy supplies from your small business anymore. But if the money circulates, you can now purchase and your business owners there will be able to sell their goods.)

(TRANSLATION: If even just a little money begins to circulate, the money will grow. But Mindanao really has the worst luck here because even if storms aren’t frequent, even if the soil is fertile, it can’t prosper because there is conflict. And no one else caused that other than the NPA.)

(TRANSLATION: Now I’m really having second thoughts about the mining industry.You’ve witnessed it first hand because you’ve been extorting from them. They have made holes in our mountains. Everywhere you look, there are holes made by mining. When it rains, the holes will store the rain water. It will soften the soil and cause landslides. That’s what’s really happening there.)

(TRANSLATION: So that’s why I’m really thinking it over. In the Cabinet meeting, we’ll start at 2 PM and finish at 12:30 AM just debating over it. I told them that I am not in favor of of allowing the operations of open pit mining because it is destroying my nation.)

(TRANSLATION: It pains me to look at the mountains from the sky. The holes resemble fish ponds. They look like bottlecaps. That is the state of our rural areas. It’s really not good for the… I think that the tax will be lower for the mining companies but I will ban the operation of open pit mining.)

(TRANSLATION: I’ve already told General Cimatu. Roy hails from Mawab. I told him, “Look at the situation closely, Roy, because I want…” So don’t go into mining because the mining industry is already very big and I won’t allow the situation to worsen.)

(TRANSLATION: If some open pit mining will still be operating, I’ve instructed the Air Force to bomb it. The pits will be made even larger and when it explodes, everything will be buried along with it. I am really not in favor of — I am also not in favor of logging because there are no trees anymore.)

(TRANSLATION: So that’s why they can get away with it. The NPAs will just say, “I’m a Filipino. Don’t do this to my country. You s** o* a b****.” There won’t be any trouble there because the miners consent to it and you know it. But what you don’t know is just how much exactly are they collecting. It’s a huge sum of money.)

(TRANSLATION: So some of the collectors here are living in what seems to be a simple life but in secret, they have a lot of money. Their children are there in places like London and some are in Australia. They send their children outside of the country in secret. But you are the ones who suffer and die for them.)

(TRANSLATION: I told you, “Give me time. Give me a good reason now.” We’re here now. Let’s talk peacefully. So I will ask you, “Why are you giving up your lives for the NPA?” Come on now. Give me even just one straight answer. Let’s not drag this out.”

(TRANSLATION: Just give me one reason why you’d be willing to die for Sison. Why will you not believe me when I’m the one who was elected by millions of people? Imagine the six million who voted for me.)

(TRANSLATION: That was 6 million for the whole Philippines. But I was chosen by the people. Why won’t you believe in me? What offense have I done to you? Did I steal your lands? But rich or poor, you’re compelled to give.)

(TRANSLATION: Give me a good reason why you should die. Is it your first time here in Manila? Third time? You’ve been fighting here and that is going to be your downfall. But if you applied for a job here in the government, ma’am, then you would’ve been..)

(TRANSLATION: Do you want to go to Hong Kong? All my female soldiers who fought in Marawi, from the police and the military, I sent them to Hong Kong for a vacation. And it may be the same for you. There will be more from you who will surrender.)

(TRANSLATION: Why should you believe in Sison who was never even elected in just one barangay council? If I too take up arms right here in front of you, will you believe me out of fear? So why do you fear him?)

(TRANSLATION: I don’t know about you but that seems to be human nature. Those who say, “Why should I agree to this, you s** o* a b****? Why are you forcing me? I don’t want to.” Ask Sison why you should be afraid of him. Tell your boss Sison, “It’s okay, just don’t include us.”)

(TRANSLATION: Because all that we seek is a comfortable life, one that is peaceful. When the mayor asks NPAs to surrender, will your numbers reach 1,000? Will it even reach 500? How about the women? I’m not joking with you. How many are the women?)

(TRANSLATION: Some women admire the communists so much. Why should you believe Sison? Alright, how about the 48? I will talk to… But I’m not sure because we had a disagreement over the Benham Rise —Philippine Rise rather.)

(TRANSLATION: I said something out of annoyance because there is an official there who does not know what he’s talking about, but that has already been settled. They said that they recognize the sovereignty and the jurisdiction of the Philippines in a statement that they gave. I have a copy of it.)

(TRANSLATION: But I will go to — The 48 of you, I will show you how frugal the communists are. You’ll get to see it because I will take you to China and Hong Kong. Compare it with the capitalist countries. I’ll take you to Hong Kong, all 48 of you.)

(TRANSLATION: And for you who are really hard core, just stay there. I don’t need you. [laughter] Go work as a domestic helper there. [Around how much will be the expenses for that, Bong?] The males will not be sent to Hong Kong.

(TRANSLATION: I sent the women of the military and police who fought in Marawi to Hong Kong as a reward for their good performance. They believe and obey the President. How about you? I’m not trying to convince you to — Have you been convinced? Do you believe in me now?)

(TRANSLATION: Ah, you’re all so slow. Maybe you just want to go to Hong Kong because it’s free. Speak louder. Do we understand each other here? Have we reached an agreement?)

Di ko gustong mupatay og Pilipino. Mao nang usahay malibog ang military nako niadto because I do not want to kill a Filipino. Mangita lang ta’g laing kontra, ayaw lang Pilipino. Because government cannot wage a war against its own citizen. Paundangon tanan ni.

(TRANSLATION: I don’t want to kill fellow Filipinos. That is why sometimes the military gets confused because I say I don’t want to kill a Filipino, that we should find someone else to fight, just not the Filipino. Because government cannot wage a war against its own citizen. All these should reach its end.)

(TRANSLATION: You say that there is a comfortable life in a communist country. But it’s not the communists who are leading China. Just look at China closely. That’s why I will send you to China after you’ve left Hong Kong. But you’ll fly with the Air Force. When you’re up in the air above the China Sea, I’ll tell the Air Force to throw you out of the plane.)

(TRANSLATION: Bombs will be made. Go bomb the Chinese there who keep on — Alright, I’ll send you there. Just wait a while for maybe a few days but what I want is for you to see actual results. They have photos of the time in history when communism assumed control.)

(TRANSLATION: There was an election. Their democracy was a frugal one. Sison himself is tightwad too. He’ll just tell you to kill one soldier per day. So you think I can’t do that too? Your organizations Karapatan, Magbubukid, Manggagawa diyan, whoever your leader is.)

(TRANSLATION: Karapatan back then during the time of Marcos, the Nationalist Alliance for Justice, Freedom, and Democracy. I was a fiscal back then and I had a certain perspective of life. I wanted reform… if I could push through with the land reform.)

(TRANSLATION: I want all of you to land a job and prosper. So that’s my — it’s not a communist perspective. I’m not a communist. But this is how I view life because of what I’ve experienced when my father went to Mindanao to try his luck and seek a better life.)

(TRANSLATION: My father was a governor back then. It was sheer luck. I had luck on my side too. I was a lawyer, a fiscal. I viewed life with the perspective of someone who is not rich. And that is why I wanted to help the poor because these millionaire elitists don’t need the government.)

(TRANSLATION: They can buy whatever they want. They don’t need the help of soldiers. If conflict breaks out, they’ll just leave. They’ll fly where they have put up their other houses and leave us behind to face all troubles. Some here can’t even afford access to education. So now I’ve signed a law that will make education free.)

(TRANSLATION: So wherever you are now, it’s a bit safe. At huwag kayong mag-alala. ‘Pag talagang magkano, eh ‘di ibalik mo ‘pag — who wants to be a CAFGU? If you’re qualified, I’ll train you as CAFGU. If you’re good at handling guns, I’ll give you one, something good and new.)

(TRANSLATION: I’ve seen your guns. Sus, some parts were breaking. What kind of army is that? New People’s Army. They have shot guns that don’t even have the complete parts yet you dare fight with me? Hay nako.)

(TRANSLATION: If your children study well, maybe… Maybe in the fullness of God’s time, maybe some of them will come back as generals or even president. Remember what I’m telling you. Someone who grew up poor is working here now and I see that in Dureza. His mother was a teacher, just like my mother. Dureza’s father meanwhile was just a driver at the DPWH. But Dureza is really bright.)

(TRANSLATION: I don’t know — Honestly, all of them here are bright. Jagger here is bright. My Defense Secretary is someone whom you can’t fool. He’s a valedictorian in Pikit, Cotabato, where he went to Notre Dame. He was a classmate of Quiboloy. He’s a valedictorian.)

(TRANSLATION: Tugade. Don’t believe in what they say about his corruption because he’s a billionaire. He holds a high position at the Delgado Brothers. He already drove a nice car when we were still students. We on the other hand drove cars that were already rusty.

(TRANSLATION: All of them. Even Vit Aguirre was a cum laude too. They were the first ones to become lawyers. Dureza became a lawyer sooner than I. I spent 7 years in high school. Was like an NPA too, roaming the highlands. I had 75 for my grade but look at me now. Look at my subordinates. They’re all billionaires while I only had 75 for my grade. They were the rich ones. Tugade was bright. He was a valedictorian too, yet he’s being bossed around by someone who only had 75 for his grade. “Psst, dali ka.” [laughter])

(TRANSLATION: Meanwhile, those luggages, I’ll tell you frankly. They already know this, all of them. Don’t harm the poor, ordinary people because they are the ones who are in need. They are the ones who will call me to ask for help. “Mayor, please help us.” So don’t dare harm them.)

(TRANSLATION: Now, for the rich ones, look at me. You have plenty of airplanes there like Lucio Tan. Even if you attempt to steal one airplane of his and try to drag it, I won’t care at all because he knows how to hire his own investigators.)

(TRANSLATION: While you who are — That’s why I had them called, even Tugade, because there’s been another case where a luggage was opened. But there is no tanim bala anymore because I will make you eat those bullets.)

(TRANSLATION: I said that there will no longer be any cases where bags at the airport will be opened. I warned all the managers at the airport in Clark. If something like that happens again, I’ll fire all of you.)

(TRANSLATION: I told the police, “If there’s another case of tanim bala there, I’ll fire you, all of you. So you better leave now and find another job.” And that’s it. That’s my warning because I really take pity on the poor because they have no one to run to. So they will report it to me instead.)

(TRANSLATION: Did you see the one whose bag was opened? “Pangulong Duterte, tulungan mo kami because we’re being oppressed. They’re opening our bags.” So now, every time we meet at the airport, when the mayors and congressmen arrive, they’ll say, “Sige, sir. Sige, sir.” And the fools would even give you a salute.)

(TRANSLATION: And then they carry their bags that are as long as trains. The Customs will just let them pass and say, “Sige, sir. Sige.” But when the OFWs arrive, they keep on opening their bags in the guise of inspection and then take some of their items. So I warned them. I told General Lapeña. I put him in the Customs. “Sid, ‘wag mo nang pabuksan.”

(TRANSLATION: The OFWs came from the Middle East, America. How will you find a shabu that’s smuggled from those countries? Unless it was manufactured in the airplane. These are countries that are very strict. So that’s the — Just let them in. There shouldn’t be any opening of bags now. The passengers will go straight to the airport terminal. Opening of bags will no longer be allowed.)

(TRANSLATION: You can see the economic status with the bag that has no brand. It’s not a Luis Vuitton. It’s just like — You can know by profiling. Just look at the person. You can tell that they’re — Don’t harm them because they are the ones who really need the government. I’m not protecting them because they voted me. Don’t f*** with them because they’re the ones who need the most help from us.)

(TRANSLATION: Those who want to study, study now. My mother retired as an adult education supervisor. It’s education for the old ones who still want to go to school. That was my mother’s position when she retired.)

(TRANSLATION: I know othat because there’s an officer thattakes care of education of people who are old but would want to study. If your children want to study, I’ll take care of your children’s education. I’ll be the one to send them to school. There are a lot of elementary schools here. Education is already free.)

(TRANSLATION: So the advice that I can give you is… I still have one concern. This is my deal for you. Wherever you go from now, even if it’s Davao, there are a lot of buildings but the construction isn’t continuous because we are short of laborers.)

(TRANSLATION: Listen to me carefully, alright? We are short of laborers because you can’t just pick one from the crowd outside Malacañan and say, “You, because you don’t have a job, you come here and help in the construction…” and expect him to know how.)

(TRANSLATION: Skills. The women can sew whatever they want to sew, but take up a course first. Anyway, we’re still waiting. I’ll patiently carry you along. Study or take up a course at TESDA. Study electrician or how to be a mechanic. Study how to repair tractors.)

(TRANSLATION: So that’s why we are now inviting them to come back. Large constructions from Ayala, Consunji are telling them, “Go back here and we’ll raise your salary to reach the same amount that you are earning there in other countries.”)

(TRANSLATION: As long as there is no corruption and no stealing, the amount allotted for projects will really be the same amount spent for the entire project. So if a project is allotted with 100 million, then it will really be 100 million.)

(TRANSLATION: There will be no biddings anymore. I don’t believe in the COA. I told them that I no longer believe in them. You can file demands if you want. I can even burn down your building if you want me to. But I will not follow in that direction because the lowest bid is pure corruption. They’ll drop downt the prices and say…)

(TRANSLATION: 100 million project. And if I follow suit, I’ll end up spending only 70 million. So if you lower the prices, the project will really be awarded to you because the government wants to save money. But there are people there who are manipulating the whole process. They’ll give a percentage of the money to the bidding energy, the governor, mayor, and even the president — but they don’t give me anything — as well as the congressman.

(TRANSLATION: So that was what caused all these problems. So now I have a project. And for the rich… “For this project, I want a highway like this. Can you achieve this? Alright. Make one. And then I’ll pay you for it.” And if you try to bid a lower price for that, I’ll say, “I don’t want that. I told you to use this. Everything has been written down here.”)

(TRANSLATION: If I see that you’ve messed with this project, I will not pay you. You could go to hell. So now that’s why it has to big because if it’s small, I will have to control it because — That’s why I had those automobiles destroyed.)

(TRANSLATION: What usually happens is they’ll import. The consignee who was supposedly the one who had the automobile imported is fictitious, fake. The name is fake. And if no one claims those cars, the government will have to confiscate it but will just leave it there.)

(TRANSLATION: Then the time will come that the government will say, “Alright, let’s sell this now because there is no claimant, there’s no owner.” And so they’ll call the person who really had those cars imported and tell them, “The cars that you imported are being auctioned now.”)

(TRANSLATION: So the persons involved will gather. They’re the only ones who know that there is an auction so they’ll be the only ones who can buy these vehicles. They’ll purchase the type of vehicle that they want. So that’s the reason why there are no longer any auctions of this nature.)

(TRANSLATION: So you import one. If you can’t pay for it, there’s no clearance. I bought a new road roller so that those automobiles will be really flat afterwards. This road roller is the really wide one that can…)

(TRANSLATION: So yesterday I told General Año, DILG, “Give it to those who collect metals and junk.” I’m sure this is like a feast to them. Give it all to them as a whole. And when it’s measured and weighed… I said, “Alright. It’s all yours.”

(TRANSLATION: Complete. And how about you who are rich? Here are your automobiles. I’m not gonna give you anything, not even a single screw. I’ll give this to the metal and junk collectors. This will make them really happy. Don’t fool around with me. When I say stop, you stop.)

(TRANSLATION: So that’s why I said to the — I have a sticker but I won’t distribute it. I feel shy that my face is on it. I said, “Huwag sa panahon ko.” I don’t want corruption during my term. We’re just going to end up fighting.)

(TRANSLATION: Why don’t we just help each other instead? Anyway, if you have a problem, just tell me. If you want to get medical help, tell me. Just do your job well. Improve on your work. Give it your best.)

(TRANSLATION: I’m your friend. I used to go up there in the highlands. I even helped Parago in his medical condition. I sent a mobile X-Ray machine up there. The military didn’t even know. I only told them now. And this is the first time that they will hear this from me. That was when I knew what ailed Parago. So that’s why I kept on sending aid. It’s not a…)

(TRANSLATION: Cigarettes, okay. Tanduay, okay, so that it will melt your insides. What do you want? Gin? Fine. Drink them all. Get drunk every night. And when the stomach starts to grow big, they’ll go and seek help.)

(TRANSLATION: They’d be there at DMC, neuro. The doctor will ask Bong, “What happened to this, Bong?” “Wala na, terminal na, which means there is zero chance of survival.” And when they operate on the patient, the insides are rotten.)

(TRANSLATION: So come here to me. My food isn’t lavish but it’s still good. I’ve went up there in the mountains so many times and I heard someone defecating and it smelled bad. That s*** really smells bad. And then I’ll look at their feet. Their nails resemble that of a cow’s. Their feet look big because of all the walking and running. They also haven’t taken the mud that dried there. Almost half of their nails are covered with mud. And they smell really bad.)

(TRANSLATION: Okay. “Do you have a companion?” “No.” “Well, come visit me here because I have something to tell. Mayor sent me there and we really saw the —“ Bring some pictures. I’ll give you pictures.)

(TRANSLATION: So these are the communists who are now capitalists. Why should we believe in you? You will never win. You’ll grow old here still walking with this fight. You’ll grow old and you’ll grow sickly and leeches will grow in your stomach.)

(TRANSLATION: The leeches will be really big. When your stomach is opened, it’s going to be filled with leeches. They think it’s just a case of worms but apparently they are leeches that you swallowed when you were living in the mountains.)

(TRANSLATION: Do you know what’s going to grow inside you? The one that is really painful in the stomach. Hepatitis. That’s also a common ailment of the soldiers. Usually, the kidneys will go first. It’s because of the water and food that they eat. But the case will be worse for you. Just wait and see when you grow old.)

(TRANSLATION: How old are you, ma’am? 32? The medical conditions are beginning to manifest now. You’re looking down. Who told you to join the NPA? That was what you wanted. But I’ll show you. And when you get home from Hong Kong… Invite them for a chat but don’t rush them.)